A MAJOR survey of households, passengers and businesses across mid Wales on the need for an improved service on the Shrewsbury-Swansea Line (known as the Heart of Wales) has been launched.

The project project aims to play a key part in bringing major improvement for the service between Shrewsbury and South West Wales.

The survey is being organised by the Heart of Wales Line Forum, supported by Minister for Economy, Science and Transport in Wales, Edwina Hart.

It has been described as a "once in a generation" opportunity by Forum Chairman Cllr Mansel Williams.

“We have been discussing the need for an improvement to the service for many years," he said. "This survey is an opportunity to demonstrate the need for the service enhancement now, which would be a major improvement for travellers along this important line.

“There are potentially hundreds of people – students, commuters, businesspeople, shoppers, tourists, visitors, that could take advantage of an enhanced service.

"We urge them to take part in this survey and have their say. A more regular service could improve access to many other parts of the country for local people, including important connections to Pembrokeshire, the Gower, London, and the North, and enable more mid and south Wales commuter and tourist journeys.”

From now until October 20 the residents of locations served by the railway can participate by completing a simple survey form.

Businesses and large organisations are also being asked to take part. The surveys will be made available at different locations and drop-in information hubs along the line between Shrewsbury and Swansea.

On Friday (October 11) and Saturday (October 12) there will be on-train surveys.